The song I’m covering, “I Shall Be Released,” dates from Dylan’s Basement Tapes days, & the original version to reach the public was not by Dylan at all, but the great cover version by The Band, with vocal by Richard Manuel from their 1968 album, Music from Big Pink. Of course, one hesitates to mention Manuel’s cover in a post featuring my own very humble version! Dylan himself released the song on his 1971 Bob Dylan’s Greatest Hits, Vol. II; as Dylan fans know, despite the title this double album contained some previously unreleased material, including this song.
I played the song in G clawhammer style on my old Windsor banjo—the arrangement is extemporaneous & basic. Hope you enjoy it!